Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?

Liya Roslin Joseph; Dhanya Sasidharan Palappallil

doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

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Original Research
Online Published: 30 Dec 2016

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017; 7(3): 328-332

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?

Liya Roslin Joseph, Dhanya Sasidharan Palappallil.

Cited By:11

Abstract
Background: Neck disability index (NDI) is a patient self-assessed outcome measurement tool to assess disability due to neck pain. Improvement in pain severity score by a pain intensity numerical rating scale may not necessarily produce a significant change in NDI after treatment.

Aims and Objectives: This study was undertaken to study the correlation between the pain status rated by the patient using qualitative scales with the NDI in patients with neck related problems.

Materials and Methods: It was prospective observational study conducted in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Tertiary care Teaching Hospital in Kerala for duration of 6 months. 170 patients, with M: F ratio-1:2.9, having neck pain were included and treated with centrally acting muscle relaxants and analgesics for 2 weeks. Patients were assessed on their initial visit and followed up after 2 weeks. Patient rating of pain status was measured using visual analog scale (VAS) and a 5-item Likert scale varying from excellent to bad. Disability level due to neck pain was determined using NDI. Analysis was done with correlation coefficient, paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test using SPSS 20.

Results: VAS and Likert scale rating showed a positive correlation with NDI, both before (correlation coefficient = 0.663, 0.589) and after (correlation coefficient = 0.845, 0.776) pharmacotherapy. Significant changes in NDI (t = 28.199, P < 0.001), Likert scale (Z value = 11.03, P < 0.001), and VAS (t = 28, P < 0.001) were observed after pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions: Study correlated patients rating of pain status themselves and NDI, and NDI can be used as an effective tool to evaluate pharmacotherapy.

Key words: Neck Pain; Neck Disability Index; Visual Analog Scale; Likert Scale Rating; Pharmacotherapy

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Pubmed Style

Joseph LR, Palappallil DS. Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017; 7(3): 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

Web Style

Joseph LR, Palappallil DS. Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=252236 [Access: November 02, 2025]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Joseph LR, Palappallil DS. Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017; 7(3): 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Joseph LR, Palappallil DS. Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2017), [cited November 02, 2025]; 7(3): 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

Harvard Style

Joseph, L. R. & Palappallil, . D. S. (2017) Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 7 (3), 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

Turabian Style

Joseph, Liya Roslin, and Dhanya Sasidharan Palappallil. 2017. Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 (3), 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

Chicago Style

Joseph, Liya Roslin, and Dhanya Sasidharan Palappallil. "Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 7 (2017), 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Joseph, Liya Roslin, and Dhanya Sasidharan Palappallil. "Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 7.3 (2017), 328-332. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Joseph, L. R. & Palappallil, . D. S. (2017) Neck disability index, Visual analog scale, and Likert scale in patients receiving pharmacotherapy for neck pain: How good do they correlate?. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 (3), 328-332. doi:10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1233917122016

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